Jubilee: A new pedestrian area opens near the Vatican
A new pedestrian zone at the start of Via della Conciliazione, connecting Castel Sant’Angelo with St. Peter’s Basilica, was inaugurated ahead of the Jubilee, combining historical significance with modern design.
By Vatican News
A new pedestrian area has been inaugurated near the Vatican, and more precisely at the start of Via della Conciliazione, the long road which leads from Castel Sant’Angelo to St. Peter’s Square. Known as Piazza Pia, the area has been redesigned to create a seamless connection between the castle and the colonnade, bringing the Vatican closer to those traveling to Rome during the Jubilee of Hope. The project, in fact, was completed just days before the opening of the Holy Door, marking the start of the Jubilee Year 2025.
A new gateway to the Vatican
The redesigned Piazza Pia has brought Rome and the Vatican closer together, creating a welcoming space for visitors and pilgrims. Near the Tiber, the square now has a large pedestrian zone that can accommodate up to 150,000 people. It was designed with sustainability in mind and includes shaded areas, fountains and rainwater drainage systems, all improvements aimed at improving the aesthetic and functional qualities of the area.
Parolin: Ancient and modern in harmony
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin was present at the inauguration and, representing the Holy See, described the transformation of the square as the culmination of decades of effort. Its roots go back to the Jubilee of 1950 and the creation of the Via della Conciliazione under Pope Pius XII. “In this space, the ancient and the modern come together harmoniously,” he said, while emphasizing the symbolic and practical importance of unifying a city historically divided by the Tiber. Cardinal Parolin praised the technical ingenuity behind the project and celebrated its role in connecting pilgrims to the Vatican.
Meloni: A place for reflection
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melon, who was also present at the event, reflected on the importance of pilgrimage and introspection during the Jubilee. “A pilgrim’s backpack is light because it carries only the essentials,” she stressed, hoping the Jubilee would offer visitors an opportunity to focus on faith and simplicity.
Overcoming Challenges
The project, supervised by the Italian infrastructure agency Anasfaced significant challenges, including archaeological discoveries near the new underpass. Throughout the months of work, engineers worked closely with cultural heritage authorities to preserve ancient artifacts while improving access and traffic flow. The end result is a modern space surrounded by history, seamlessly blending the spiritual importance of the Vatican with the practical needs of a bustling capital.
The inauguration concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the opening of this reinvented gateway to the Vatican, ready to welcome millions of pilgrims during the Jubilee Year.
